Sensei Becky Knight
Chief Instructor
Becky Knight has been training in Wado Karate for 38 years and holds the grade of 5th Dan. Becky has run the Sakura Academy in the West Midlands since 2008 and has coached students to innumerable grading and competition success. Over the years she has produced not only senior black belts but also several English and British medallists.
During the past 7 years, along with husband Mark Knight, they have coached their senior students to an amazing 26 Wado European medals including 11 Golds and a Wado World Championship Bronze.
Experience
Like many senior Karateka, Becky’s Karate began in the mid 80’s, in the tough ‘old style’ training conditions, under the tutelage of the well-respected Sensei Vince Parker at the Portobello Karate Club - Mark has recently opened a new club in Portobello in honour of Becky's Karate roots called Portobello Karate Club.
As a youngster she also trained in other Karate styles and Boxing. Preferring to stick with Wado Ryu Karate during her late 20's until her daughter began training in other styles from 2017 onwards.
Having had the honour of visiting and training in numerous Dojo around the world over the last 30+ years, Becky has trained with many different instructors including training as a child with the iconic Japanese Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki.
In 1991 Becky was invited to attend the 1st Barmouth training camp run by Vince Parker. Training in Kihon, Kata and Kumite at the rear function room of the Min-Y-Mor hotel. She has attended the event many times since including more recently in 2008 with Husband Mark & nephew Aaron and in 2014 and 2016 with Mark, daughter Emmy and Sakura coach Roxana Deeming.
In 2010 Sakura joined the Wado Aiwakai Karate-do Federation and Becky began training with the world renowned Japanese instructor Kuniaki Sakagami Sensei 8th Dan. Becky describes her time training with him as a fantastic experience and cherishes their interesting conversations.
Family Tradition
Between the mid 80’s and 90’s she competed alongside her sister (Melissa) and regularly trained with Sensei Fred Rose and the GBKF squad. Recalling the impressive fighting skills of Melissa and the team from the former Temple Karate dojo.
Family is the most important aspect of Becky’s life and she talks of how proud she is of having 12 family members train in Karate, Kickboxing, Boxing and Tae Kwon Do since the 1980’s. Having produced 6 Senior black belts and 2 English, British and European champions the family is extremely proud of their Martial arts achievements.
Work
Before becoming a full time mom Becky used to work as a systems admin manager for a company in Cheslyn Hay where she met husband Mark. She was a voluntary teaching assistant at several schools during the mid 2000’s and in 2010 Becky began home educating her daughter Emmy (Sakura’s Performance Coach) on a full time basis. Along with husband Mark they were voluntary Child Protection Officers for Wado Aiwakai Karate-do Federation during 2014-2015.
Present Day
In more recent years Becky has adapted her style of training due to a hip and knee injury and generally does more upper body gym work and Boxing however she still trains weekly at the WBBA Dojo and continues her passion with Kata.
Away from Sakura Becky enjoys travelling, especially around USA, reading and she recently took up cycling following advice from her doctor. Both Mark and Becky spend most of their spare time hiking around the UK and researching their family history now dating back as far as 1520.
Charity Work, Fundraising & Challenges
Becky is a keen supporter of the charities Cancer research UK and the Meningitis Trust. Becky is a Cancer and Meningitis survivor, she contracted the Meningococcal virus as a baby and had a cancerous lump removed during a Hemi-thyroidectomy in 2020.
In 2010 Mark, Becky and sister Cherry did a sponsored 10 mile walk and raised £469 for the club to purchase Free standing kick bags.
In 2013 Becky ran a half-marathon with husband Mark and nephew Aaron. Mark raised £522 for the Meningitis Trust.
In 2021 Becky raised over £1000 for Cancer Research UK by completing 10 marathons during January. Just 1 year on from having surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid.